Texas Christian University (TCU) 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Texas Christian University (TCU) 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 2 essays of 200 words or fewer

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why, Community, Short Answer

At TCU, it is our vision to be a world-class, values-centered university.  We value academics, intellectual inquiry, creative expression, leadership, service, diversity, and the appreciation of the human experience. With which one of TCU’s core values do you most align and why? (Maximum length: 200 words) 

Admissions wants to learn more about the person behind the application and your values. You have your pick of the litter as far as TCU’s core values are concerned, so choose the one that most resonates with you and then paint a picture of why that is. Maybe you have always been a curious cat, so intellectual inquiry has your name all over it. What excites you about learning new things? How do you like to explore new information? Perhaps you stayed inside for over a year during the pandemic to protect an immunocompromised family member. How has your experience engaging with others changed since reemerging? What do you value about the human experience that you may not have reflected on before becoming housebound in 2020? Use this opportunity to give admissions more insight into who you are.

TCU is committed to creating an inclusive campus culture for all people. We have a shared responsibility to enhance our community by encouraging inclusive environments through learning opportunities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Describe how you have already contributed to creating an inclusive environment in your community or how you plan to contribute to an inclusive college environment in the future. (Maximum length: 200 words)

First of all, let us remind you that your “community” can be just about anything, from your neighborhood to your family to your dojo. Pick a community that means something to you and the diversity narrative will fall into place. Maybe your progressive church welcomes people of all sexualities and gender identities, and you developed a brand new youth group for queer and questioning teens. Perhaps your school is incredibly homogenous and isolated, and you helped your Spanish class organize Skype chats with a school in Guatemala to learn more about different parts of the world while developing your Spanish skills. No matter your starting point, be sure you tell a clear story with a beginning, middle, and end that demonstrates your commitment to creating inclusive environments. It would be tempting to pen a vivid description of your community and leave it at that, but the point of an essay like this is to tell a story about you and your contributions.

Freedom of Expression

Completion of the questions below is optional. TCU values individuality and believes that students are more than just a GPA and test score. To help us get to know you even better, consider this opportunity to further express yourself. The only limitations are the boundaries of your imagination. Please upload an essay, poem, work of art or a URL that showcases another side of you.

The final piece to Texas Christian’s supplement isn’t an essay at all, unless you want it to be. TCU is asking you to upload an essay, poem, work of art, or a URL that showcases a side of you that admissions hasn’t seen before. Maybe you want to upload a link to your small business’s online presence so admissions can see your entrepreneurship in action. Perhaps you’re excited about sharing a series of sketches you put together to give your creative side a spotlight. Of course, you could also take this opportunity to upload an essay you wrote for a different school’s supplement that you feel would give TCU more insight into your character. If that’s the case, make sure it’s one that addresses your self-expression in some way (and doesn’t reference another school!).